Jerry Portnoy

Jerry Portnoy was born in 1943 and grew up in the blues rich atmosphere of Chicago's famous Maxwell Street Market during the golden age of Chicago Blues. He began his professional career in the late 60's and since that time has performed, live and on television, to more people in more places than any other blues harmonica player.

During a career that includes six years as a member of the fabled Muddy Waters Blues Band, another six as leader of the Legendary Blues Band, four years at the head of his own band The Streamliners, and another four as a featured member of the Eric Clapton Band, he has maintained a constant touring schedule that has carried him to every state in the union and twenty-five foreign countries on five continents, with performances at the White House, Carnegie Hall, Radio City Music Hall, the Smithsonian, London's Royal Albert Hall, and at major jazz festivals worldwide, including the Newport Jazz Festival, the Montreaux Jazz Festival, the Warsaw International Jazz Jamboree, the Hawaii Pacific Jazz and Music Fair, and the Grande Parade du Jazz in Nice, France.

He has played on several Grammy Award winning albums while recording with a wide variety of artists, and was a Grammy Award nominee in 1997 for his work with the Muddy Waters Tribute Band. Television credits include appearances on Saturday Night Live, Soundstage, MTV, VH1, and the Disney Channel, as well as writing and performing original music for Sesame Street

Jerry Portnoy is the most expressive blues harp player around today.” -Savannah Morning News

“Mr. Portnoy crests like an alto saxophone.” -New York Times

“Widely recognized as the greatest blues harpist of his generation.” -Toronto Star

“The finest blues harmonica player in the business.” -Knoxville Journal

“The number one blues harp anywhere.” -Rocking Chair Magazine

“A subtle and superb harpist.” -Lexington, Kentucky Leader

“The smoothest, sweetest player I ever heard.” -Kingston Ontario Whig-Standard

“Exciting, soulful riffs that make your hair stand on end.” -Houston Chronicle

“Portnoy is amazing both as a soloist as well as an accompanist.” -Cadence Magazine

“Sounded like a whole brass section of an orchestra.” -Spokane Spokesman-Review

Primary Instrument

Harmonica

Willing to teach

Beginner to advanced

Credentials/Background

he most thorough, detailed and comprehensive instructional method ever done for the blues harmonica, yet the easiest to follow and understand. Contains 3 hours of personal instruction with more than 300 playing examples at slow and regular speed, along with the coaching and explanations. Included are: Chord rhythm, tongue blocking, syncopating chords, octaves, back rhythm, lip pursing, lip blocking, 12 bar structure, bending notes, transitions, 2 draw vs. 3 blow, vibrato, warbles, flutters, growls, barks, kiss pops, rips and glisses, double and triple tonguing, tongue switching, special chords, shaping notes, use of the hands, breathing, diaphragm attack, positions and finally, mics, amps and playing with a band